Member's statement: Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Member's statement by Ms Paula Bradshaw on 17 June 2025.

MLA

Ms Paula Bradshaw

Party at the time

Alliance Party

Date

17 June 2025

Type

Member's statement

Business

Members' Statements

Heading

Refugees and Asylum Seekers

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5013422

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I rise to make a Member's statement in the week of World Refugee Day, which is on Friday. The events of the past week have cast a long, harsh light on the state of our society at present and on the collective responsibilities that we all now share. The fact that that has happened demonstrates why we need such a day. It is no longer enough to condemn racism and hatred from a distance: we must face the uncomfortable truth that bigotry continues to exist here and that it has again manifested itself in acts of violence. What has taken place is not just a wake-up call but a stark reminder of how much work still needs to be done in order to build a truly inclusive and safe society in Northern Ireland. The fear and trauma experienced by those targeted in the riots, many of whom came here seeking safety and peace, represents an attack not only on individuals but on the values that we, as a society, claim to uphold. As of 2024, approximately 3,000 individuals across Northern Ireland were receiving asylum support. They are people who have already endured unimaginable hardship, and the recent violence shows just how vulnerable they remain. It is a clear signal that we must do more to ensure that no one lives in fear because of their skin colour, country of origin or religion. In South Belfast, as in many areas of Northern Ireland, asylum seekers and refugees have become an integral part of the fabric of our communities and neighbourhoods. However, we must acknowledge that the process of integration is not without its challenges. Recent research from Queen's University Belfast highlights persistent barriers in housing, employment, healthcare and social cohesion. Those challenges must be listened to and dealt with head-on to ensure a successful and inclusive integration process. Integration must begin from the moment when individuals arrive in our communities. It is not just about providing temporary accommodation; it is about giving refugees the tools and resources that they need to sustain themselves and thrive in our community. The Executive Office's recently published refugee integration strategy offers a strong starting point. It outlines a holistic approach, recognising that true integration needs more than securing a job or a place to live. In South Belfast, we have seen at first hand the valuable contribution that refugees make to our economy, our culture and our community. They are our neighbours, our colleagues and our classmates, yet many continue to face prejudice, now compounded by the threat of violence.

We must recognise that this is a pivotal moment in our society. The racist riots are not isolated incidents but symptoms of deeper, more systemic problems that are rooted in prejudice and exclusion.

458 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 12:47 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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